Easter Saturday entertainment
If a trip to Meadow Lane on Good Friday isn't enough for you, here's a list of live local football entertainment on Easter Saturday. Firstly, congratulations must go to Brackley Town for reaching the FA Trophy Final - a great achievement for a small town team. Likewise, our old Berks & Bucks Cup adversaries Thatcham Town have reached the Vase Final. Both matches to be played at Wembley on May 20th.
Here"s a list of what's on this Easter Saturday (all 3pm kick-offs):
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH:
Wealdstone v East Thurrock United
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:
Chesham United v Redditch United
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE EAST:
Aylesbury FC v Egham Town
Beaconsfield Town v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Marlow v AFC Dunstable
Thame United v Arlesey Town
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:
Leverstock Green v Holmer Green **
Tring Athletic v Berkhamsted FC ***
** Very good carvery pub just round the corner (The Plough) which also does nice Charles Wells beers
*** Very good brewery (Tring Brewery) just down the road
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE:
Buckingham Athletic v Winslow United
Risborough Rangers v Rayners Lane
Have a great Easter - starting with 3 points v Notts County on Friday. See you there (no excuses!).
Comments
Beaconsfield v Rushden looks the pick Andy, big game
Ahh Brackley Town. A millionaire's play thing. See 400 managed to turn last night.
Beaconsfield Town 1-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
The Rams started the day 3 points behind leaders Diamonds, with a game in hand. An entertaining first half, helped by a lovely grassy playing surface, saw the home side take the lead on 19 minutes when a cross from the left was turned in at the far post by Nathan Webb. Diamonds centre half Liam Dolman was involved in the away team’s best chances, his thunderous, goal bound shot hitting his team mate, then his cross turned straight at the keeper from point blank range. Dolman is nearly as wide as Bayo, taller at 6’ 2”, but surprisingly mobile, and a very effective footballer. He had many seasons at Northampton Town.
Both teams like to play to feet, using their speedy wide players to attack down the wing, and long balls were rare. After the break it became more of a midfield stalemate, and rather niggly, with less goalmouth action. Just when it looked like a hard earned win, goalscorer Webb inexplicably handled the ball high in the air from a corner, in the 93rd minute. The resultant penalty was saved by the keeper, but straight back to the taker Ryan Robbins to shoot home. Overall it was probably a fair result, there was little between the teams and the standard of play by both was high for this level. Either would be comfortable in the Premier division.
It’s very tight at the top, Diamonds were running away with it, but have drawn two and lost two of the last four. Hayes & Yeading are just a point behind the leaders, Hartley Wintney and AFC Dunstable are also in the running for the two automatic places. The attendance of 411 was swelled by Rushden’s large support, Beaconsfield’s previous highest league gate this season was 144.
Tring Athletic 2 Berkhamsted FC 2
A highly-entertaining local derby in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division ended all-square at a very wet Cow Lane, Tring.
Second-place Berkhamsted were clear favourites but found themselves 2-0 down after 43 minutes as headed goals from Chris Vardy & Dave O'Conor (both from set pieces) gave the hosts a surprise lead.
Garry Jones pulled a goal back for Berkhamsted right on half-time. Ashton Campbell levelled the scores after 53 minutes followed by Alex Campana hitting the post.
Tring's defence survived a Berkhamsted onslaught and some last-ditch defending ensured the points were shared in front of an appreciative crowd of 164. Berkhamsted are still favourites to clinch the runners-up spot and probable promotion to Step 4 next season. But at this time of year no game is a formality.